NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

HEXTEK provided NASA the 24" x 36" Lidar scanning flat located in the belly of a P-3 Orion above. The mirror was required to survive operation in the open bay of the plane at speeds of 450 knots, and temperature changes from 30°C to -50°C in 30 minutes while climbing from sea level to 40,000 ft. The mirror and cell (also made by HEXTEK) had a required combined weight of <75 lbs, and be able to survive ±45° scanning acceleration/decelerations in 0.15 seconds. NASA reported the mirror and cell performed successfully. (Photo courtesy of NASA)